HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Kings Aren’t Gone Yet

Sacramento Fox40 sports director Jim Crandell discussed an “innovative new plan” on Wednesday night that’s aimed to keep the Kings in California’s capital. As you probably know, the Maloof family, who owns the Kings, has been in negotiations with the city of Anaheim to potentially move the franchise to the Honda Center, which is currently the home of the NHL’s Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Sacramento Mayor and former Phoenix Suns legend Kevin Johnson has seemed pessimistic in recent weeks and that has led most of the basketball-loving world to think that the Kings will be in Anaheim next season.

But as bleak as its situation looks, Sacramento may not be defeated.

“I think this gives Kings fans some hope,” Crandell told his Fox40 audience.

“Let me say right off the top that I can’t even tell you who my source is for this information,” Crandell continued. “He wants to stay, for now, confidential and I understand that. But let me tell you that I do trust him.

“He did tell me about a plan that has the Maloofs very interested—a plan I call an ‘alternative to keep the Kings in Sacramento.’ He told me that there a number of very influential people from this area who are involved with this plan that include some elected officials—all of those people trying to make sure that the Kings do not move to Anaheim.

“I know it looks like this Anaheim deal is a done deal, but believe me, it’s not. And there is also a funding source. I would say the money is in place, according to my source, to make this plan happen.

“I don’t think these people would be working as hard as I believe they are on this plan if the Anaheim thing was a certainty and I don’t think the Maloofs would be interested in talking to these people if the Anaheim thing were a certainty.

“I wish I could share more and I had more to share, but again, the people behind the plan are worried if it leaked out too early it could jeopardize the whole thing.”

Crandell went on to say that he hopes to be able to reveal details of this plan within the next week.

Obviously, this is a major development in the story, but it’s hard to guess what he’s hinting at. Is there a local business that can help finance a stadium? Is there someone who would buy the Kings and keep them in Northern California?

Whatever the plan is, ARCO Arena (aka: Power Balance Pavilion) cannot continue as an NBA facility in its current state. The building was erected in 1988, which was a pretty bad time for building arenas. There are only 30 luxury suites (LA’s Staples Center has 160 luxury suites) and that puts a serious limit on how much money the Kings can gross. 

Obviously, the smart bet is still on the Honda Center (84 luxury suites), but the Maloofs would have to listen to any offer that could get them a new arena.

{AUTHOR_BOX}Tony Allen: ‘I’m a Celtic’

Former Celtics guard Tony Allen helped his new team, the Memphis Grizzlies, pull off an upset in Boston on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop him from making a startling confession to Green Street blogger Ben Rohrbach among other reporters.

“I’m a Celtic, but unfortunately, I wear a Grizzlies jersey right now,” Allen said. “It was a nice reaction [from the Garden crowd]. I liked it.

“Yeah, it’s strange, but most importantly I was just happy about the victory and how our guys stuck together and focused for 48 minutes,” he continued. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Obviously Allen—who played on Boston’s 17th NBA Championship Team—wasn’t throwing his new team under the bus, but it’s rare when a pro athlete confesses his love and appreciation for his previous employer.

“I felt like I was in practice,” Allen said of the 90-87 win. “I knew all their plays. I knew everything they were going to run. It felt good. It was nice to see [coach Doc Rivers] with those nice suits that he wears. And it was a good overall experience coming here to Boston.”

Playing in the absence of injured star Rudy Gay, Allen logged 29 minutes and scored eight points while defending Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Grizzlies forward Leo Powe, another former Celtic, finished with 13 points and also received a round of applause from the Boston crowd.

“Leon is a presence down there,” Allen said. “He’s a little undersized, but he’s strong. The more he puts in his work on that block, it kind of lightens the load for us. Leon’s just gotta keep being Leon.”

The Celtics are now 5-5 in their last 10 and are one game out of the top spot in the East behind the Bulls, who are 9-1 in their last 10.

Stephenson Starting to Feel Pacers’ Chemistry

Indiana’s Lance Stephenson’s rookie season has been derailed by everything from an assault charge to a near-fight with teammates, but he’s finally getting some playing time this month and the Pacers have a three-game cushion for the final spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

“I think we’re better as a team,” Stephenson told HOOPSWORLD. “The chemistry is getting better. Everybody is helping each other out, playing hard.

“We worked in practice,” he continued. “Come hard in practice and it will pay off.”

Interim coach Frank Vogel is limiting Stephenson’s minutes, but the second-round pick has averaged 10.5 MPG this month and has flirted with becoming a regular contributor off the bench. Of course, it’s hard for a rookie like Stephenson to see the court in crunch time so Vogel has stressed meaningful game situations in practice.

“We’re trying to build that up in practice,” Stephenson said. “When it’s crunch time, we got to play hard together.”

While it’s unlikely Stephenson would be a major contributor in a playoff series, he is trying to develop some chemistry with starting point guard Darren Collison, who, like Stephenson, enjoys playing a faster brand of basketball.

“I just told Collison to push the ball,” Stephenson said. “When you push the ball, you create for others. So he’s pushing the ball and creating plays. I think it’s easy for him.”

This may not sound like a ton of progress, but Stephenson’s rookie season has been so tumultuous that anything seems like a step in the right direction. 

NBA Players Send Relief to Japan

As many as 20 NBA players who are represented by Arn Tellem’s Wasserman Media Group decided to donate to Direct Relief International’s recovery fund for the Japanese earthquake.

The organization, which is one of the world’s top leading medical relief groups, said that many of the players are donating $1,000 for every point they score from March 25 to March 27, including LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol, Al Horford, JaVale McGee, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.  Meanwhile DJ Augustin, Jarron Collins, Jason Collins, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Tyreke Evans, Danilo Gallinari, Xavier Henry, Antawn Jamison, Jason Kapono, Quincy Pondexter, Brian Scalabrine, Etan Thomas, and Ben Wallace have all decided to donate a specific amount.

"We are incredibly proud that our athletes have rallied together to assist with Direct Relief’s efforts in Japan," said Tellem, who is the principal of the management division of the Wasserman Media Group. "Due to the gravity of the situation, we hope that citizens around the world consider following the example of our athletes by making a donation of any amount to an organization of their choice assisting in the Japanese relief efforts."

Direct Relief has already distributed $1.5 million in emergency funds to thousands of those displaced by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami—particularly those with special needs and the elderly.

"Direct Relief responds to emergencies all around the world, including the U.S., and the scale of the tragedy in Japan is immense by any measure," said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief International in a statement. "These world-class NBA athletes are showing world-class generosity to support people in Japan who need help now and will still need it as the headlines fade. We hope they light up scoreboards this weekend." 

Those who wish to participate can click on the link or text “Give10″ to 20222. 

FYI—My Twitter handle has changed to @alexraskinNBA.



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